ARRL RTTY Roundup
Call: K4RO
Operator(s): K4RO
Station: K4RO
Class: Single Op HP
QTH: TN
Operating Time (hrs): 18
Summary:
Band QSOs
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80: 1
40: 220
20: 298
15: 244
10: 83
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Total: 846 State/Prov = 56 Countries = 54 Total Score = 93,060
Club: Tennessee Contest Group
Comments:
More than doubled my score from last year, which was
my very first RTTY contest ever. Last year I used the
WF1B software and an un-modified PK-232. This year I used
TR-Log software (yes - TR does RTTY too) and my trusty PK-232.
The PK-232 now has the threshold and 170Hz shift mods, but I
still haven't mastered where exactly to set the Threshold control.
There were times when I could hear stations calling and see them
on the scope just fine, but no print. This was usually after an
antenna, preamp, or band change. I always forgot to adjust the
PK-232 Threshold control to the "tweak" point where weak signals
would print, but garbage was kept to aminimum. Apologies to those
who must have thought me the worst kind of alligator.
In retrospect, I now wish I'd operated the entire contest.
I went to bed too early on Saturday and missed all the 80m fun.
Too bad, as that is one of my better bands, at least for USA.
Perhaps by next year I will commit to the whole contest, but
I have to get the second radio working first before I will feel
competitive at all on RTTY. There is lots of "downtime" in RTTY
contests where the second radio could be used to great advantage.
I used the time to watch football (I grew up in Pittsburgh, and
the Steelers drew more of my attention than the contest in the 4th
quarter. Next week's game here in TN is during NAQP CW - ARrrrgh!)
All that extra time makes RTTY contesting very relaxing and enjoyable,
and it's easy to watch a game, read email, and even do some other work.
However, I think I'll figure out how to get the second radio going
somehow, hopefully in time for next year's Roundup. There's just too
much to miss otherwise. Made 17 band changes over 17 hours. CQed too
much and missed many mults. Best hour was 65 on 40m Saturday night.
Missed only Delaware and Georgia for WAS, as well as 5 Canadian mults.
Decent opening to EU on 15m, with much less luck on 10m. Conditions
took a dive last week, so that wasn't surprising. Some very impressive
scores out there -- congrats to all who put in the full effort.
Thanks for all the QSOs and the patience.
-Kirk K4RO
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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